Yarn transporting apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for transporting yarn at high speeds by fluid from a delivery point to receiving stations including one or more delivery conduits receiving yarn from the delivery point, a yarn cutting mechanism for each delivery conduit, distribution conduits communicating with each delivery conduit, each of the distribution conduits being directed toward one of the receiving stations, a nozzle carried by each of the distribution conduits for creating a flow of compressed air in the distribution conduits and a control system for operating the yarn cutting mechanisms and selectively supplying compressed air to the nozzles to control the direction of yarn movement through the distribution conduits from each delivery conduit after actuation of the yarn cutting mechanism.

United States Patent 1191 Hautemont June 28, 1974 [54] YARN TRANSPORTING APPARATUS 3,640,160 2/1972 Nelson et al 83/100 x [75] In en J an C a Hautemont, 3,683,732 8/1972 .luppet 83/100 Glf-sur'Yvette France Primary Examiner-Frank T. Yost [73] Assignee: Rhone-Poulenc-Textile, Paris, Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Sherman & Shalloway France 22 Filed: May 29, 1973 [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus for transporting yarn at high speeds by fluid [211 App! 364423 from a delivery point to receiving stations including one or more delivery conduits receiving yarn from the [30] Foreign Application Priority Data delivery point, a yam cutting mechanism for each delive conduit distribution conduits communicatin M 26, 1972 F 72.19405 W g ay rance with each delivery conduit, each of the distribution 52 US. Cl 83/100, 83/402, 226/97 Conduits being directed toward one of the receiving [51 1m. 01 B65h 29/24 Stations, a nozzle Carried by each of the distribution [58] Field of Search 83/98, 99 100, 402, conduits for creating a flow of compressed air in the 226/97; 30/133 distribution conduits and a control system for operating the yarn cutting mechanisms and selectively sup- [56] References Cited plying compressed air to the nozzles to control the direction of yarn movement through the distribution UNITED STATES PATENTS conduits from each delivery conduit after actuation of 3,464,300 9/1969 Fletcher 83/402 x the yam cutting mechanism 3,564,958 2/1971 Richter 83/402 X 3,570,339 3/1971 Vandersip 83/100 X 11 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUH 28 I974 SHEET 2 BF 3 8 I e 2 E 5 x 4 A. v W 1 T l l I ll lln l l I l l I M a/. m w h 6 8 YARN TRAN SPORTING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the invention The present invention pertains to apparatus for transporting yarn by fluid and, more particularly, apparatus for transporting yarn delivered continuously at high speeds.

2. Discussion of the prior art In the textile industry, it is frequently necessary to transport yarn supplied continuously at a delivery point to two or more receiving stations which receive the yarn alternately. In order to provide such yarn transport, fluid flow has been utilized to assure the yarn moving along the separate paths to the receiving stations. For example, U.S-. Pat. application Ser. No. 287,063 filed Sept. 7, I972 discloses a tube for the transport of yarn by compressed air, the tube being directed toward a first receiving station, for example a waste collecting area, to define a first path. The tube is provided with a longitudinal slot to permit the yarn to be removed from the tube at least partially in order to direct the yarn toward a second receiving station, such as a winding mechanism, along a second path. In this arrangement, the passage of the yarn from the second path to the first path is effected automatically by simply cutting the yarn upstream of the longitudinal slot after the tube is supplied with a flow of compressed air; however, the passage of the yarn from the first path to the second path requires movement of a mechanical element to partially extract the yarn from the tube through the longitudinal slot to bring the yarn to the second receiving station.

While the above described arrangement is satisfactory for use with winding mechanisms, the requirement of mechanical mechanisms for moving the yarn from one path to another increases the complexity and cost of the apparatus as well as increasing maintenance and service requirements. Additionally, prior art apparatus requiring the mechanical movement of yarn from one path to another is uneconomical in that the yarn along one of the paths is normally supplied to a waste collecting area to receive yarn during the replacement of bobbins or other suitable devices for receiving yarn-at the other receiving station.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art as described above. by constructing apparatus utilizing fluid to transport continuously supplied yarn at high speeds from a delivery point to a plurality of receiving stations along different paths, the passage or movement of yarn from one path to another being automatic and accomplished without stopping the supply of yarn or wasting the yarn.

Another object of the present invention is to construct apparatus for transporting yarn by fluid including a vertically oriented delivery conduit which receives yarn from the delivery point and is disposed in the uppermost portion of the path of the yarn, and a plurality of distribution conduits communicating with the outlet of the delivery conduit at positions in substantially horizontal alignment, the distribution conduits extending substantially longitudinally from the delivery conduit in the lower portion of the path of the yarn to direct the 2 yarn to the receiving stations. Each of the distribution conduits has a nozzle positioned therealong to create fluid flow therein and produce a suflicient vacuum such that yarn is sucked into the inlet of the distribution con duit.

An additional object of the invention is to provide control means for the above described apparatus for vertically transporting yarn, the control means selectively supplying compressed air to the nozzles to sequentially operate the same after operation of a yarn cutting mechanism in the delivery conduit to assure that after cutting, yarn is directed to a distribution conduit other than the distribution conduit in which the yarn was passing prior to cutting.

The present invention has another object in that discharge conduits are provided at each receiving station communicating with each distribution conduit extending from a delivery conduit.

A further object of the present invention is to transport several yarns toward common receiving stations, the number of receiving stations being greater than the number of yarns and each receiving station receiving the yarn alternately from each delivery conduit such that in operation, each receiving station has a period of non-use. By utilizing apparatus including a number of delivery conduits, each of which having a number of distribution conduits extending therefrom where the number of delivery conduits equals the number of yarns to be transported, a discharge conduit is disposed at each receiving station to receive a distribution conduit from each of the delivery conduits.

Some of the advantages of the present invention over the prior art are that the apparatus of the present invention permits yarn to be directed as desired from one receiving station to another automatically in both directions by actuating at a specific time the yarn cutter and the nozzles associated with the distribution conduits thereby not requiring mechanical means for moving yarn from one path to another and permitting operative movement without waste of the yarn between receiving stations.

The present invention is generally characterized in apparatus for transporting yarn at high speeds by fluid from a delivery point to a plurality of receiving stations including a delivery conduit having an inlet for receiving yarn from the delivery point and an outlet, a yarn cutting mechanism disposed in the delivery conduit, a plurality of distribution conduits communicating with the delivery conduit at the outlet, each of the distribution conduits being directed toward one of the receiving stations, and nozzles arranged in the distribution conduits forcreating a flow of fluid therein whereby yarn moving through the delivery conduit enter the distribution conduits under the control of the nozzles.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic elevation, partly in section, of apparatus for transporting yarns in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagramatic elevation of the apparatus of the present invention utilized to transport two yarns.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control system for use with the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Apparatus for transporting yarns in accordance with the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 1 includes a delivery conduit oriented substantially vertically and having an inlet 12 receiving yarn 14 from a delivery point upstream of the delivery conduit 10, the yarn 14 being delivered selectively to a plurality of receiving stations 16 and 18, such as winding stations having bobbins or pirns around which the yarn 14 is adapted to be wound. The delivery conduit 10 has a yarn cutting device 20 mounted therein at a position such that movement of the cutting blades thereof sever the yarn 14 passing through the delivery conduit, and the delivery conduit communicates through outlet ports 22 and 24 with a pair of distribution conduits 26 and 28 directed toward the receiving stations 16 and 18, respectively. The outlet ports 22 and 24 are disposed in substantially the same horizontal plane and adjacent the outlet ports 22 and 24 are compressed air nozzles 30 and 32 disposed in distribution conduits 26 and 28, respectively,

and adapted to create a flow of air in the distribution conduits toward the receiving stations.

Briefly, the operation of the apparatus for transporting yarn of FIG. 1 is such that the yarn 14, which may originate from a bobbin for example, passes through delivery conduit 10 and distribution conduit 26 to be wound on the bobbin at receiving station 16 by means of reciprocating yarn guide 34, the yarn 14 being initially directed into the distribution conduit 26 by the flow of compressed air from nozzle 30. When operation at the receiving station 16 is completed as, for instance, by the completion of winding of the yarn around a bobbin, the yam cutting device 20 is actuated to sever the yarn in the delivery conduit while the compressed air supplied to nozzle 30 is stopped and compressed air is supplied to nozzle 32 to create a flow of air in the distribution conduit 28. The suction created by nozzle 32 at the entrance to distribution conduit 28 causes the end of the cut yarn 14 to be sucked through outlet port 24 to be directed toward receiving station 18. The control of the yarn cutting device 20 and the nozzles 30 and 32 is desirably implemented in an automatic manner by mechanical, electrical, electronic and/or fluid means with the operation responsive to completion of opera,- tion at one of the receiving stations accomplished by sensing a condition at the receiving station or by timing the operation such that the yarn transporting apparatus is operated with respect to an overall timed program.

Apparatus according to the present invention for transporting two yarns for distribution to three receiving stations is illustrated in FIG. 2 and parts in the apparatus of FIG. 2 similar to parts of the apparatus of FIG. 1 are given identical reference numbers or identical primed reference numbers and not described in detail again.

The apparatus of FIG. 2 essentially constitutes duplicates of the apparatus of FIG. 1 with the exception that each delivery conduit communicates with three distribution conduits. Accordingly, delivery conduit 10 receives yarn 14 at its inlet, the yarn moving past the yarn cutting device 20 to exit through any one of the horizontally aligned outlet ports into distribution conduits 26, 28 or 36 leading to receiving stations l6, l8 and 38, respectively; and yarn 14 passes from the delivery duits 26 and 26', 28 and 28', and 36 and 36', respectively. Each of the distribution conduits extending from each delivery conduit has a compressed air nozzle disposed adjacent the outlet port in the same manner as shown in FIG. 1, the connections between the distribution conduits and the delivery conduits and between the discharge conduits and the distribution conduits being effected in any appropriate manner, such as by welding, coupling or the like.

In operation, the yarn 14 is delivered in a continuous manner to the delivery conduit 10, for example from a spinneret, and is guided by distribution conduit 26 and discharge conduit 40 to winding means at receiving station 16 while yarn 14 is delivered continuously and simultaneously with yarn 14 through delivery conduit 10', distribution conduit 28' and discharge conduit 42 to the winding means at receiving station 18. Accordingly, only the nozzles associated with distribution conduits 26 and 28' create air flow to guide yarn through their corresponding distribution conduits. Thus, receiving station 38 is not in operation at this time while winding phases of receiving stations 16 and 18 are staggered such that the winding at receiving station 16 is advanced relative to the winding at receiving station 18 and, consequently, will be completed prior thereto.

When the winding at receiving station 16 is completed, the nozzle associated with distribution conduit 36 will supply compressed air thereto to create a fluid flow, the yarn cutting device 20 will be operated to sever the yarn 14 and the supply of compressed air to the nozzle associated with distribution conduit 26 will be stopped. Accordingly, the cut end of yarn 14 will be sucked into distribution conduit 36 and supplied through discharge conduit 44 to the winding means at receiving station 38 such that the winding operation commences. At this time, operation at receiving station 16 ceases and the full bobbin is removed and an empty bobbin substituted therefor such that receiving'station 16 is now ready to receive yarn 14 when the winding operation at receiving station 18 is completed. At the completion of the winding operation at receiving station 18, compressed air is supplied to the nozzle associated with distribution conduit 26' while the yarn cutting device 20 is operated to sever the yarn l4 and the compressed air supplied to the nozzle associated with distribution conduit 28' is stopped. Accordingly, the cut end of yarn 14' will be sucked into distribution conduit 26' and delivered through discharge conduit 40 to receiving station 16.

Thus, with the apparatus of FIG. 2, it is possible by actuating the yarn cutting devices 20 and 20' as well as the nozzles associated with distribution conduits 26, 28, 36, 26', 28' and 36 to direct yarn received from separate delivery points toward one or the other of three receiving stations l6, l8 and 36. In this manner, when one of the windings being formed at one of the receiving stations has reached the desired weight, the yarn supplied thereto is cut by either of yarn cutting devices 20 or 20' and immediately directed toward the waiting winding means at the inoperative receiving station.

The apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2 have the advantages of considerably reducing waste due to the immediate and continuous transfer of yarn from one winding bobbin to another, and of reducing manual labor due to the complete automation of operation. With the apparatus of the present invention, accordingly, yarn may be wound at winding speeds from 6,000 to 7,000 meters per minute and higher. The yarn transporting apparatus according to the present invention as described above is most advanrageous when implemented for fully automatic operation, that is, where the yarn cutting devices and nozzles are controlled automatically without requiring manual intervention. Such automation of the apparatus of the present invention may be implemented in any suitable manner in a relatively easy manner thereby permitting the apparatus of the present invention to be easily integrated into a continuous, high speed automatic winding line.

An example of control means for the yarn transporting apparatus of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 3, it being realized that the control functions provided may be implemented in any other conventional manner and may be expanded for use with any number of yarns and any number of. receiving stations as required for various applications.

The control means includes a source of electricity supplied over lines 46 and 48, such as commercially available AC, and a timer actuated switch 50 which may be of any conventional design. The timer actuated switch 50 includes any conventional timing device, such as electronic circuitry, bimetal switches or the like, to control the operation of a relay winding 52 which in turn controls a single-pole double-throw switch 54 having a switch blade movable between an unconnected terminal C1 and a terminal connected with line 46. The blade of switch 54 is connected through the solenoid of a solenoid-operated valve 56 to lead 48 such that the switch 54 is operative to control the solenoid-operated valve 56 which controls the supply of compressed air from a source 58 through a conduit 60 to the yarn cutting device which is fluid actuated. Relay winding 52 also controls a single-pole, double throw switch 62 having a switch blade operable to connect line 46 with either of terminals C2 or C3 which are connected through solenoids in solenoid-operated valves 64 and 66, respectively, to line 48. The solenoidoperated valves 64 and 66 control the flow of compressed air from source 58 through conduits 68 and 70 to operate nozzles 30 and 32, respectively.

In operation, the duration of the winding cycle at the receiving stations corresponds to the period of the timing device in timer-actuated switch 50, and the operation of the yarn cutting device 20 is pneumatic while the delivery of fluid to the nozzles 30 and 32 is controlled by solenoid-operated valve 64 and 66. Either terminal C2 or C3 will be connected by the blade of switch 62 to energize either of solenoid operated valves 64 or 66, respectively, such that with contact being made with terminal C2, compressed air is supplied through valve 64 to nozzle 30 to create fluid flow in distribution conduit 26 to deliver yarn 14 to receiving station 16. At theend of the predetermined time period required for winding or other operation at the receiving station 16, the relay winding 52 will be energized to close switch 54 and energize solenoid operated valve 56 to supply compressed air to yarn cutting device 20 and cut the yarn l4 and, to operate switch 62 to contact terminal C3 to deenergize solenoid operated valve and energize solenoid operated valve 66 to supply compressed air to nozzle 32. Accordingly, the cut end of the yarn 14 will be sucked into distribution conduit 28 by the fluid flow therein to deliver the yarn 14 to receiving station 18. The operation of switch 54 is momentary only such that after a single operation of the yarn cutting device 20, the solenoid operated valve 56 will return to its closed position for the next operation.

In practice, it may be desirable to associate a time lag with the timer in switch 50 to impart a slight delay to the closing of switch 54. Similarly, if it is desired not to supply compressed air continuously to the distribution conduits, the switch 62 may be provided with another position whereby the solenoid actuated valves 64 and 66 are operated only for a predetermined time and, after the winding operation has commenced, compressed air is no longer supplied to the nozzles.

The apparatus of the present invention will now be illustrated by reference to the following example. It is to be understood that such example is presented for the purpose of illustration only, and the present invention is in no way to be deemed as limited thereto.

Apparatus as illustrated in FIG. 2 was built and used for yarn winding with the following characteristics:

- Internal diameter of delivery conduits l0 and 10:

length of delivery conduits l0 and 10: 3 m

- internal diameter of distribution conduits 26, 28,

36, 26, 28 and 36': 18 mm length of distribution conduits 26, 28, 36, 26, 28

and 36': 0.80 m

- internal diameter of discharge conduits 40, 42 and length of discharge conduits 40, 42 and 44: 1.5 m.

The nozzles associated with the distribution conduits were positioned substantially 20 cm from the outlet ports of the delivery conduits.

Two yarns 167 dtex/30 filaments, delivered by the same spinneret, were transported toward the winding means. The nozzles were fed with compressed air: pressure 6 Bars, rate of flow: 60 N m H. The yarn cutting devices and the nozzles were controlled automatically by electrically controlled valves.

The transfer of the yarn from one distribution conduit to another distribution conduit and from one winding means to another winding means was effected without any difficulty and with very little waste.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but includes all variations within the spirit of the invention. The number and the arrangement of the various conduits may vary greatly. In particular, the two delivery conduits 10 and 10, instead of being close together, may be separated and may correspond to two separate spinning positions spaced from each other. The apparatus of the present invention can be used for the transport of yarns of any count and of any nature.

Similarly, it will be appreciated that the apparatus of the present invention for separately transporting yarns can be utilized for n yarns received from n delivery points for supply to at least n 1 receiving stations such that n l discharge conduits are utilized for directing yarn toward each of the receiving stations and each of the n delivery units has a plurality of n 1 distribution conduits communicating therewith, each of the distribution conduits communicating with each delivery conduit being directed toward one of the discharge conduits and having a nozzle disposed therein to create a flow of fluid.

Inasmuch as the present invention is subject to many variations, modifications and changes in detail, it is intended that all subject matter described above or shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for transporting yarn at high speeds by fluid from a delivery point to a plurality of receiving stations comprising a delivery conduit having inlet means for receiving yarn from the delivery point and outlet means;

yarn cutting means disposed in said delivery conduit;

a plurality of distribution conduits communicating with said delivery conduit at said outlet means, each of said distribution conduits being directed toward one of the receiving stations; and

nozzle means for creating a flow of fluid in said distribution conduits whereby yarn moving through said delivery conduit enters said distribution conduits under the control of said nozzle means.

2. Apparatus for transporting yarn as recited in claim 1 and further comprising control means for operating said yarn cutting means and said nozzle means.

3. Apparatus for transporting yarn as recited in claim 2 wherein said nozzle means includes a nozzle disposed in each of said distribution conduits and a source of compressed air, and said control means includes valve means controlling flow from said source to each of said nozzles to selectively create-a flow of compressed air in said distribution conduits.

4. Apparatus for transporting yarn as recited in claim 3 wherein said control means includes means responsive to said yarn cutting means to operate said valve means to create a flow of compressed air in one of said distribution conduits other than the conduit through which the yarn was moving prior to operation of said yarn cutting means.

5. Apparatus for transporting yarn as recited in claim 2 wherein said outlet means includes a plurality of aligned outlet ports, each of said distribution conduits communicating with one of said outlet ports.

6. Apparatus for transporting yarn as recited in claim 5 wherein said delivery conduit is vertically disposed and said outlet ports are disposed in horizontal alignment.

7. Apparatus for transporting yarn as recited in claim 2 and further comprising a second delivery conduit having inlet means for receiving a second yarn from a delivery point and outlet means, yarn cutting means disposed in said second delivery conduit, a plurality of distribution conduit communicating with said second delivery conduit at said outlet means, each of said distribution conduits being directed toward one of the receiving stations, nozzle means for creating a flow of fluid in said distribution conduits communicating with said second delivery conduit, and a discharge conduit for each of the receiving stations, a distribution conduit from each of said delivery conduits communicating with each of said discharge conduits.

8. Apparatus for transporting yarn as recited in claim 7 wherein said control means includes a source of compressed air, valve means for controlling the supply of compressed air to said nozzle means and timing means controlling the operation of said valve means.

9. Apparatus for transporting yarn as recited in claim 2 wherein said control means includes a source of compressed air, valve means for controlling the supply of compressed air to said nozzle means and timing means controlling the operation of said valve means.

10. Apparatus for separately transporting n yarns at high speed by fluid from n delivery points to at least n 1 receiving stations comprising n delivery conduits, each having inlet means for receiving yarn from the delivery points and outlet means; yarn cutting means disposed into each of said delivery conduits; n l discharge conduits, each adapted to direct yarn toward one of the receiving stations; a plurality of n 1 distribution conduits communicating with each of said delivery conduits at said outlet means, each of said distribution conduits communicating with each delivery conduit being directed toward one of said discharge conduits; and a nozzle disposed in each of said distribution conduits for creating a flow of fluid therein whereby yarns moving through said delivery conduits enter said distribution conduits under the control of said nozzles.

1 1. Apparatus for separately transporting yarns to receiving stations as recited in claim 10 and further comprising control means for operating said yarn cutting means and said nozzles. 

1. Apparatus for transporting yarn at high speeds by fluid from a delivery point to a plurality of receiving stations comprising a delivery conduit having inlet means for receiving yarn from the delivery point and outlet means; yarn cutting means disposed in said delivery conduit; a plurality of distribution conduits communicating with said delivery conduit at said outlet means, each of said distribution conduits being directed toward one of the receiving stations; and nozzle means for creating a flow of fluid in said distribution conduits whereby yarn moving through said delivery conduit enters said distribution conduits under the control of said nozzle means.
 2. Apparatus for transporting yarn as recited in claim 1 and further comprising control means for operating said yarn cutting means and said nozzle means.
 3. Apparatus for transporting yarn as recited in claim 2 wherein said nozzle means includes a nozzle disposed in each of said distribution conduits and a source of compressed air, and said control means includes valve means controlling flow from said source to each of said nozzles to selectively create a flow of compressed air in said distribution conduits.
 4. Apparatus for transporting yarn as recited in claim 3 wherein said control means includes means responsive to said yarn cutting means to operate said valve means to create a flow of compressed air in one of said distribution condUits other than the conduit through which the yarn was moving prior to operation of said yarn cutting means.
 5. Apparatus for transporting yarn as recited in claim 2 wherein said outlet means includes a plurality of aligned outlet ports, each of said distribution conduits communicating with one of said outlet ports.
 6. Apparatus for transporting yarn as recited in claim 5 wherein said delivery conduit is vertically disposed and said outlet ports are disposed in horizontal alignment.
 7. Apparatus for transporting yarn as recited in claim 2 and further comprising a second delivery conduit having inlet means for receiving a second yarn from a delivery point and outlet means, yarn cutting means disposed in said second delivery conduit, a plurality of distribution conduit communicating with said second delivery conduit at said outlet means, each of said distribution conduits being directed toward one of the receiving stations, nozzle means for creating a flow of fluid in said distribution conduits communicating with said second delivery conduit, and a discharge conduit for each of the receiving stations, a distribution conduit from each of said delivery conduits communicating with each of said discharge conduits.
 8. Apparatus for transporting yarn as recited in claim 7 wherein said control means includes a source of compressed air, valve means for controlling the supply of compressed air to said nozzle means and timing means controlling the operation of said valve means.
 9. Apparatus for transporting yarn as recited in claim 2 wherein said control means includes a source of compressed air, valve means for controlling the supply of compressed air to said nozzle means and timing means controlling the operation of said valve means.
 10. Apparatus for separately transporting n yarns at high speed by fluid from n delivery points to at least n + 1 receiving stations comprising n delivery conduits, each having inlet means for receiving yarn from the delivery points and outlet means; yarn cutting means disposed into each of said delivery conduits; n + 1 discharge conduits, each adapted to direct yarn toward one of the receiving stations; a plurality of n + 1 distribution conduits communicating with each of said delivery conduits at said outlet means, each of said distribution conduits communicating with each delivery conduit being directed toward one of said discharge conduits; and a nozzle disposed in each of said distribution conduits for creating a flow of fluid therein whereby yarns moving through said delivery conduits enter said distribution conduits under the control of said nozzles.
 11. Apparatus for separately transporting yarns to receiving stations as recited in claim 10 and further comprising control means for operating said yarn cutting means and said nozzles. 